Hernandez-Harrison starts 2014 with his 20th win

For an athlete that is 10 years younger than his opponent, it is hard to say the younger person has the most experience, but that is exactly what happened in West Orange, NJ recently when 19 year old Dusty Hernandez-Harrison took on 29 year old Tim Witherspoon, Jr. in an 8 round welterweight bout shown on ESPN2 as part of their Friday night fights programming. Hernandez-Harrison beat Witherspoon, Jr in a unanimous decision for his 20th win against no defeats. Hernandez-Harrison had an impressive amateur career, fighting almost 200 fights compared to Witherspoon, Jr competing in less than 20 fights as an amateur and as pros, Hernandez- Harrison came into this fight with 19 fights compared to 14 for Witherspoon, Jr.

Another disadvantage for Witherspoon, Jr. was his unusual lay offs during his pro career. After his first 4 round pro fight, he did not fight for another 3 years. When he took this bout against Hernandez-Harrison, he had not been in the ring in 7 months, plus he was fighting his first fight at the 147 pound welterweight class. Thus, the experience goes to Hernandez-Harrison despite being 10 years younger. Never the less, Witherspoon, Jr. comes from boxing royalty. His father Tim Witherspoon, Sr. was a 2 time heavyweight champion and both hail from the fighting city of Philadelphia. Dusty knows his opponents get harder as he continues to build up his impressive record of 20-0, 11 KO's, "I felt good in there. Tim is a good defensive fighter, a bit awkward to hit flush and I hope I made DC proud."

All 3 judges scored the fight 78-74. Hernandez-Harrison took control of the fight in the 5th round and proceeded to land some extremely hard shots to the body to go along with his 3 and 4 punch combinations through out the match. In the later rounds, Witherspoon, Jr. was intent on playing defense and was unable to throw many punches from the 5th round on. Dusty had a shiner in his cheek area after the fight, but his father and trainer, Buddy Harrison was not worried, "Dusty showed grit and after the first round, we decided to slug it out. Dusty learned from his experience and now we look to the next bout." Jeff Fried, from All-In Entertainment, Dusty's promotion team, was also pleased, "Dusty continues to show poise and heart as his platform expands. This was a terrific learning experience against a fighter that came in prepared and determined. We are targeting March for Dusty's next bout." This means a rare full month off for Hernandez-Harrison who seems to fight every 3 weeks or so. Please subscribe and find out when Dusty's next fight is and to follow all of the fighters in the DMV.

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Ron Harris, retired college administrator, coach, broadcaster, Internet and TV sports producer and host. Former radio host of a live call in show. Wrote sport copy for a radio sports director in Washington, DC. Extremely close to the sports landscape in the Washington, DC metro area. Former secondary school teacher. Radio sports reporter, covering MLB, college sports, major boxing events and much more. Contact him at this address.